Automotive shopping on Black Friday

You don't usually see headlines about people lining up after Thanksgiving dinner to get deals at auto parts stores. But there are good deals to be had on auto parts, tires and accessories.

Last year, for example, PepBoys ran an online Black Friday sale that began on Thanksgiving (even though its physical stores were closed) offering 50% off four tires. Auto parts and accessories were 35% off, and there were discounts on motor oil as well.

AutoZone, meanwhile, has a history of offering 20% off online ship-to-home orders over a certain amount and gift cards with purchase.

Black Friday coupons are another way to get discounts on automotive items, even if a store isn't offering any auto deals. For example, Ace Hardware has a history of offering general coupons in its Black Friday ads (for example $15 regular-priced items over $30 and $10 off purchases of $50). You can use these to stock up on car necessities or on a new car battery.

Black Friday tire deals

Be on the lookout for discounts and specials on tires during Black Friday. In years past, we've seen $320 in Visa gift cards from Discount Tire and sitewide coupon codes from TireBuyer.com.

Automotive Black Friday discounts may not help you complete your gift list (unless you're shopping for a car enthusiast). But it's a great time to buy things for yourself that you'd need throughout the year anyway.

Plus don't forget: Many car dealers offer specials on Thanksgiving weekend. So, if you're looking for a new car, Black Friday can be a good time to shop.